“Anyway.” Maddox rolls his eyes, but even his lips are twitching. “Have you notified the team? They should be aware of the extra attention Indie may get so they can adjust security accordingly.”
“I did. I gave them a call this morning after everything came out. They said they’ll take care of it. After everything with Blair and the stalker, they have protocols in place, so she and everyone else will be safe at the arena.”
“Do they have extra precautions around the parking garage?” Ryder asks. “Because the paparazzi are relentless, and they’ll camp out near the cars if they can get away with it. They tried that with Lexi a lot.”
My stomach flips at the variety and level of threats that could be facing Indie. I wish I could insulate her from all of it, but unfortunately, that’s not possible. The best I can do is stand between her and anyone who would try to exploit or hurt her. “Yeah. I did warn them that because of who her parents are, the level of intrusion could be much higher than anything we’ve ever seen.”
I trust the team when they say they have a plan, but I do worry that this could turn into a much crazier circus than they’re anticipating. I hope it doesn’t, but it would be unwise to make assumptions. Just because we’re in the Midwest doesn’t mean that all the paps will abide by the unspoken rules that govern the overly friendly middle-of-the-map USA.
“We can get the ladies and Reed into cars while you and Indie wait inside, then once everyone is safely tucked away, come back for you two. If we form a wall around you, they won’t get any shots they can use, and hopefully they’ll get tired of trying,” Ryder offers.
The other guys nod in agreement. Maddox claps a hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got her back.”
I know they do. They’re some of the best men I’ve ever met, and I’m so thankful they’ve embraced Indie and Lola and that the ladies have embraced them right back. My girl needs as many people as possible in her corner.
Because I have a sinking feeling that shit isn’t done hitting the fan.
“There she is,”Mira cheers when Indie wanders outside two hours later. “The woman of the hour. Or should we say theauthorof the hour?”
A pretty blush stains Indie’s cheeks. She tries to hide it beneath a curtain of pink hair, but I see it. She’ll have to get used to the attention and the praise. Right now, the negative attention may be louder than the positive because of her parents and their scandal and because people are weird as hell about professional athletes and their love lives, but if my friends’ reactions to her pen name are anything to go by, she has fans out there who are ready to support her.
It’s about time she got the recognition and applause she’s always deserved.
“Girl, we can’t believe you’ve been Violet Quinn this whole time.” Blair pulls Indie into a hug. “We read one of your books a few months ago, and all of us loved it.”
“We really did,” Isla agrees.
“It’s pretty badass that we have a famous friend.” Lexi grins broadly, and I chuckle because I know what’s coming next.
“What the hell, Lex? What are we? Chopped liver?” Griffin pouts dramatically while Ryder shakes his head and wraps an arm around his fiancée. “You’re literally engaged to a hockey star.”
Lexi rests her head on Ryder’s shoulder, her smile impish. “Yeah, but more people read romance than watch hockey.”
“Ouch.” Griffin clutches his chest, which Indie finds hilarious if her expression is anything to go by. “But also, probably true. Whatever. We’re still famous.”
Maddox wobbles his head from side to side, one eye squinted almost shut. “Famous in certain circles.”
“Who are you, again?” Lola teases.
“You guys are the worst,” Griffin says. He turns his back on us and wanders over to start the grill.
“So,” Lexi says, her expression turning serious as she turns to Indie. “How are you doing? I’m assuming you weren’t ready to reveal your secret identity, and all of this was a bit of a shock?”
“You’d assume correctly.” Indie sighs, and I hold her tighter.
I’ve been strung tight since all of this blew up. Every time Indie winces or curls in on herself, or even sighs deeply, my body readies for a threat. The hypervigilance I normally reserve for the ice has taken over. I’m aware of everyone around us, the way people look at me or Indie, hell, even every car that drives down my street. If they stop, I find myself looking out the window like a paranoid agoraphobic. What if it’s a reporter or photographer?
I won’t let Indie be subjected to that.
“Definitely not planned,” Indie says. “At least, not like this. My publisher and agent have been trying to get me to do an identity reveal since I signed my first contract, but I didn’t want anyone to be able to claim that I only got a book deal because my parents are movie stars.”
“I don’t think anyone would have thought that,” Blair offers. “Maybe if you got a role in a movie or something, but a book deal?”
“You’d be surprised. People have strong opinions about the children of stars getting any kind of recognition in the arts. I get it, but it can be a lot. And I’ve never had the best relationship with the press or public, so I didn’t want to deal with it.”
“Understandable,” Mira says. Out of all the ladies, she and Lexi get the closest to understanding that kind of situation. Logan does too. His dad was a famous hockey player, and it took him a long time to prove that he’s gotten where he is on his own merit and not his dad’s last name.
“At least we’re not in LA right now,” Lola offers.
